Optometrist Hourly Pay in Sandy Springs, GA: $65.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Sandy Springs, GA runs $65.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,238 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Sandy Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,144 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For optometrists in Sandy Springs, GA, the projected median hourly pay is $65.02, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This hourly wage highlights the opportunities available for both part-time and per-diem optometrists across various settings, such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, VA outpatient clinics, and university environments. For professionals comfortable with flexible schedules, this means that working even three days a week can yield significant financial rewards. Entry-level optometrists may start at around $37.71 per hour, while top earners in the profession can reach as high as $95.74 per hour, showcasing a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience, practice type, and demand in the local market.
About the Sandy Springs Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.71 | $301.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.84 | $406.73 |
| Median (P50) | $65.02 | $520.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.38 | $627.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.74 | $765.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sandy Springs
Based on $65.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.02/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sandy Springs, GA can expect to earn approximately $135,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,023. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sandy Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sandy Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,600.77 | $11,270 | $135,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,560.46 | $6,762 | $81,144 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,040.31 | $4,508 | $54,096 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Sandy Springs) | $65.02 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Sandy Springs, GA earn a median of $135,238 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.82% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% above the Georgia state average of $134,298.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.02/hr = $81,144/year (purchasing power: $87,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,240/year (purchasing power: $145,263).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Sandy Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Sandy Springs grew 18.5% from $53.29/hr (2019) to $63.15/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sandy Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Sandy Springs
Part-time optometrists working three days a week in Sandy Springs, totaling around 24 hours of work per week, can expect to earn approximately $81,628 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem scene is particularly lucrative; many optometrists working on a fill-in basis may earn between $500 to $800 per day in retail settings, and those in OD/MD practices can command between $700 and $1,200 daily. Moreover, residency-trained ocular disease specialists at hospitals may see hourly rates from $90 to $130. Salary rates can vary significantly based on the employer, with private practices offering different pay structures compared to larger retail chains or VA medical centers. This creates a situation where some optometrists might choose slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, providing a balance between income and job security. Negotiating hourly wages in this diverse environment involves understanding local demands, personal needs, and potential for growth within the profession.
More salary data for Sandy Springs, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Sandy Springs in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Sandy Springs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sandy Springs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov